Explore new destinations, score exclusive deals at 35th Philippine Travel Mart this September
With travel becoming more accessible, there's no better time to plan your next adventure. From budget airlines to travel fairs, there are plenty of opportunities to score great deals.
This weekend, there's one fair you need to visit if you want to make travel plans before the year ends.
The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) is bringing back the country’s “longest-running travel fair,” the Philippine Travel Mart. The 35th edition of this event will take place at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City from Sept. 6 to 8.
This year’s attendees will be able to score great travel packages and exclusive discounts for their future travels across the country and abroad from hundreds of exhibitors, including tour operators, tourism offices, travel agencies, airlines, hotels and resorts, and more.
The three-day fair, which has the theme “Love the NextGen Tourism,” will highlight Sustainability, Digitalization, Inclusivity, and Health and Wellness travel trends.
What to expect
The whole fair will be a one-stop for all your travel needs, especially if you’re eyeing a great travel package. There will be 300 exhibitors, so it’s wise to review and decide on which you would like to focus on to avoid getting overwhelmed. You may also want to participate in interactive booths, cultural performances, travel seminars, and food tastings.
For mini-regional experiences, some deals you may want to book include tour packages in the Spratly Islands and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and go grape-picking in La Union or lemon-picking in La Union and Benguet.
For overseas travel, exhibitors will also offer packages to popular international destinations—Asia, the US, Europe, and Australia.
Maria Lourdes F. Japson, PHILTOA's 1st Vice President, reminds attendees to bring essentials—a notebook, pen, and reusable bag for brochures and giveaways. Here's a tip: Be on the lookout for time-sensitive promotions and discounts available only during the fair.
For her part, Mary Ann F. Ong, PHILTOA’s 2nd Vice President, said to come early so you can have a more detailed discussion and find the best deals from exhibitors you’re interested in.
The admission ticket is only priced at P100 for a one-day pass, while UnionBank credit card holders can only pay P80 per ticket. UB card holders are also entitled to exclusive travel perks and privileges from participating travel agencies, airlines, and related travel products and services. Buy your tickets here.